§ 398. Bills of lading to be issued by vessels transporting merchandise within the state. It shall be the duty of the owner, master or agent of any vessel transporting merchandise or property between ports of this state to issue to shippers of any lawful merchandise a bill of lading, or shipping document, or to sign a bill of lading or shipping document when presented by the shipper or his agent, stating, among other things, the marks necessary for identification, number of packages or quantity, stating whether it be carrier's or shipper's weight, and apparent order or condition of such merchandise or property delivered to and received by the owner, master or agent of the vessel for transportation, and such document shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt of the merchandise therein described.